Update: ‘All Clear’ issued for possible gas leak in China

An “All Clear” has been issued for what could have been a gas leak in China Wednesday afternoon.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and China Volunteer Fire Department were checking the area of Broadway and Westbury Road in China for a gas leak.

The leak was caused by a pressure valve activating on a natural gas pipeline, said China VFD spokesperson Phillip Kibodeaux. The release was caused by the shutdown of a natural gas well-head in the area which caused an “over-pressurization” of the pipeline.

A resident contacted the sheriff’s office after hearing a popping sound from a gas storage tank and smelling a strong odor in the area.

Residents within one mile of the 2800 block of Broadway to “shelter in place” for about an hour.